Sergio Perez will preserve his seat at Pink Bull and proceed as Max Verstappen’s team-mate into the second a part of the season, Christian Horner has instructed the crew.
Talks occurred on Monday over Perez’s future after the crew’s motorsport adviser Helmut Marko stated the Mexican driver “completely collapsed” within the Belgian Grand Prix.
Perez was beneath strain to ship a constructive lead to Sunday’s race having scored simply 21 factors throughout the earlier seven rounds.
An improved qualifying show earned him second on the grid, however Perez fell backwards within the race to complete eighth (later promoted to seventh as a result of George Russell’s disqualification), three locations behind Verstappen, who had began eleventh after serving a grid penalty.
There had been hypothesis that Pink Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson, or one of many drivers at their junior squad RB, Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda, might substitute Perez.
Nevertheless, having earlier confirmed that Perez’s future could be on the agenda at a gathering on Monday, Horner has since confirmed the Mexican won’t get replaced.
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An eventful opening lap sees Lewis Hamilton overtake Sergio Perez for second place
Horner stated to the Pink Bull crew: “Checo remains a Red Bull Racing driver despite recent speculation and we look forward to seeing him perform at tracks he has previously excelled at after the summer break.”
RB’s line-up of Ricciardo and Tsunoda may even stay unchanged when the season resumes.
Slater: Horner has finally determined to maintain Perez
Sky Sports activities Information’ Craig Slater…
“There has been a lot of speculation that Red Bull were to replace Sergio Perez with either the young New Zealand driver Liam Lawson or possibly Daniel Ricciardo who currently drives for the RB team.
“There was a gathering right now at Pink Bull headquarters between Christian Horner and Helmut Marko who’s the specialist adviser with the crew.
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Watch race highlights from the Belgian Grand Prix
“It was to discuss Sergio Perez’s future. Marko had his say on this and given how cutting Marko was about Perez’s performance in Belgium, it was felt he would be potentially lobbying for his replacement.
“However that has not occurred. Horner has finally taken the choice that Perez will proceed as Max Verstappen’s companion past the summer time break.
“It was a decision because, even though Verstappen is in a comfortable position in the driver standings, McLaren are really closing in on Red Bull in the Constructors Championship and at the end of the day, that is the one that pays the money and gets the bonuses.
“It’s Perez’s uneven factors contribution in comparison with Verstappen’s that has weakened their place there.
“It has been Horner’s decision ultimately and he has decided that the least disruptive thing to do is sticking with Perez and he expects an improvement after the summer break.”
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